Enjoying Playtime?

[Dalis]

I've had my hamster for about two weeks now. I let her settle in for three days before trying to tame her outside of her cage since she did not tolerate me at all in her cage. I started taming her on my bed with lots of hiding spots and tunnels. It didn't take long at all for her to let me pet her and pick her up. She no longer stays hidden in her boxes. Instead she scurries around and no longer takes treats like before. All she wants to do it hide behind my pillows. She seems nervous which I don't understand as she was perfectly fine before and took treats. She doesn't flinch or run away when I go to pick her up. Does she just want to be left alone?

[cypher]

Did anything happen before she changed her behaviour during out of cage time?
She might do better with a playpen, you can buy or make one, try keeping it familiar for a while, the same toys & set up, don't clean any of the toys or anything so it all keeps her scent on & put a wheel in there for her too. You could sit beside the playpen while she runs around exploring & interact with her from there.
What time do you get her out? If she has only just woken up she might want to come out a bit later maybe, you could try experimenting with time a bit to see if anything suits her better.

[Dalis]

I've used the same toys as always. I think the problem was that she felt too exposed in such an open area. I moved playtime to the top of the stairs where it's more enclosed and secure. I added her wheel as well. She seems more comfortable.

[Drago]

I would agree with your suspicion that it’s the open space. Free roaming can be fun for hamsters, but it can also stress them as they’re prey animals. Open spaces often makes them feel exposed to predators. A playpen or smaller space may be better for her, at least until she grows more comfortable with a larger area for out of cage time. Best wishes